Our Story

We are cultivators of “Aha!” moments and believers in natural curiosity.

Since its inception in 2003, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U) has been dedicated to providing inspiring experiences for the youth of New Bedford. We believe that youth represent amazing untapped potential, and the key to realizing this potential is responding to their natural curiosity about the world around them.

Founded in 2003 as Trips for Kids, our mission has always been to broaden youth perspectives through transformative experiences. Our founders recognized the need for guidance and support beyond the home and classroom, and so with a few bikes, a renovation and determination, Trips for Kids began!

Our home base since inception has been the Victory Park Warming House on Brock Ave. and our playground is wherever our bikes and imaginations can take us! Despite inhabiting an area of impressive natural and cultural abundance, many children don’t often experience the bounty and beauty of our historic, seaside home. We thus began in the early days with bike rides around the peninsula, exploring Fort Taber, and playing at the old “Poor Farm”.

From the outset we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating opportunities that respond to youth interest. So when participants began requesting to use bike tools in the evenings, “Bike Shop” came to be! Then one rainy day and a few smoothies later, our Food for Thought program was born. Our most recent addition, the Children’s Garden, was born of an interesting story beginning with guerilla gardening and the tomato-induced exclamation, “Let’s plant some!”

After 12 years of successful operations, a change of name to Youth Opportunities Unlimited provided a more accurate portrayal of our work. From bikes and kayaks to our imaginations and own two feet, these are the tools of exploration, discovery and adventure at Y.O.U. The specifics of what we do evolve in response to the youth that we learn with and through, but we remain dedicated to how we do what we do. We are a small non-profit making a big impact in the lives of New Bedford youth!

Whether you see us on our bikes or are passing by the Warming House, come get to know us and become a part of our story.